Patrick Dempsey reveals the next season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ will be his last! Will Derek Sheperd die?

Patrick Dempsey confirmed he is leaving Grey’s Anatomy after next season. In other news, I just cut my own LVAD wire. The actor told the Italian Vanity Fair, “It’s gonna be my last [season]. I do not know what’s going to happen to the other characters, but for me it’s done.” Et tu Patrick? Our sister site TVLine.com points out Shonda Rhimes made a very suspicious remark recently which could mean Derek Shepard will die in the upcoming eighth season!

Shonda recently told Matt Mitovich, “I feel like Meredith and Derek are meant to be together forever, and we’re going to make sure that in the end they end up together, one would hope — unless one of them dies or something.”

Ellen Pompeo is still deciding whether or not she will stay past the eighth season when her contract is up, so if Meredith is still at Seattle Grace without Derek, will it be as a widowed single mother?

I can’t even function at the thought of Derek dying. When he got shot in the hospital, the only thing keeping me going was the rational part of me thinking “Whatever they wouldn’t be able to kill off Derek without Patrick’s departure from ‘Grey’s’ being leaked off first.” And NOW what am I supposed to do. I’m going to be nervous every time he crosses the street! Mer/Der is my favorite couple on Grey’s Anatomy and whether or not Derek dies I don’t now how I feel about the show continuing on without his existence.

Patrick says his departure “bittersweet because it’s been great and a great part of my life. But I can’t see me doing it anymore.” It’s understandable that he feels like he’s dedicated enough years to it, and it obvoiusly his personal decision and his career choice. So I’m not faulting Patrick (we are on a first name basis, I’ve decided) for his decision to leave but I’m just so upset!

What do you guys think of this news? Are you equally devastated to lose Derek? Are you hoping Ellen/Meredith stays without him or is that too weird? Do you think he will die? If there’s a chance he will leave Meredith but still be alive (guest spots?) would you prefer that or are you intent on them staying together? Sound off below while I go look for tissues!

UPDATE: Patrick’s rep tells EW, “He was referring to the fact that his contract is up at the end of next season and we have no idea what the future holds.” Maybe there’s hope? What do you guys think?